Niger, Blue Carbon sign pact on tree planting

Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Blue Carbon for a carbon capture project to plant one billion new trees on 760,000 hectares in the state.

The signing of the MoU was done on the sidelines of the ongoing COP28 Climate Summit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

UAE had set aside $135 billion for carbon projects.

Blue Carbon is a UAE company committed to climate change initiatives.

It has also signed carbon capture project agreements with Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Rwanda, Papua New Guinea, and Dominican Republic.

Bago, who met with Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook al-Maktoum, one of the members of Dubai’s ruling royal family, said the pact with the UAE-based company was to advance sustainable climate change solutions.

He added: “The partnership is dedicated to addressing climate change by planting one billion economic trees and one million hectares in Niger.

“This project is not only an environmental endeavour, but also an important step towards improving the forestry sector within the region.”

On what the state stands to gain from the agreement, he said: “Planting one billion trees will significantly contribute to carbon sequestration, which involves capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide to combat global warming. The project will boost the forestry sector, creating new job opportunities and promoting economic development in Niger.

“This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring long-term environmental health and economic prosperity.”

According to the governor, the increase in forest cover will support biodiversity, providing habitats for various species and maintaining ecological balance.

He added: “The project is expected to involve local communities, promoting awareness and education about environmental conservation.”